1. Collingwood cements top-four status
Keeping pace with the competition's front-runners was important for Collingwood, considering its incredibly tough stretch in the next month. The Magpies' 42-point win over the fifth-placed Giants was meritorious, given how impressive the young side has been this season. But the true test to Collingwood's top-four pursuit will come in the next month. The Magpies face Fremantle, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and West Coast in their next four games. Until then Nathan Buckley's side can rest up over the bye and be content with their 8-3 start to the season.

VOTE: Your 3-2-1 in the Magpie Army Player of the Year Award.

2. Giants running out of defenders
With Tim Mohr rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the second time, the Giants could ill afford to lose another key defender. But that's exactly what happened when the Giants' co-captain Phil Davis was subbed out at half-time with a lower leg injury. But there was worse to come with Joel Patfull limping from the field after being involved in a heavy collision with teammate Matthew Buntine. The former Lion was taken to hospital for precautionary scans. With both key backs down, Travis Cloke ran riot to kick four goals in the final term.

3. Casualty ward grows
If injuries to Davis and Patfull did not present enough problems, then the sight of Shane Mumford (left ankle) and Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) in the hands of trainers was not a happy sight for the Giants. Coniglio appeared to injure the AC joint in his right shoulder in a collision with Magpies skipper Scott Pendlebury in the final quarter, while Mumford hobbled from the field after collapsing in a ruck contest in the last term. Both were icing up on the bench and took no further part in the game, as the Giants found themselves down to zero rotations late in the game. 

4. One eye on the prize
Many Collingwood supporters were keeping a close eye on the Giants' No.17, with the out-of-contract Adam Treloar linked with a move to the club. And the midfielder did not disappoint, with a polished performance in the Giants' 42-point loss. Before the game, Collingwood CEO Gary Pert confirmed the club's interest in the out-of-contract midfielder. The smooth-moving midfielder has averaged a tick under 28 disposals this season and looms as one of the competition's most enticing midfielders. Teammate Dylan Shiel would have commanded similar interest had the 22-year-old not rejected the lure to return home and re-sign with the club until the end of 2017. Shiel was the Giants' most influential midfielder with 34 disposals, including 14 in an electrifying second term. 

5. Adams makes it count
Whenever a player comes up against his former side, they want to perform well. So there was little mistaking Taylor Adams' strong performance against the Giants on Sunday. The midfielder, who spent two years at the club between 2013 and 2014, racked up a game-high 36 touches, as well as seven inside 50s to display his importance to the Collingwood side. He has become a key part of the Pies' rejigged midfield, led by captain Pendlebury.

listen to ‘Post-Match: Nathan Buckley’ on audioBoom